Thou, it may be, art not a _prophet_; God has not honoured thee with this post in his service; yet needest thou not fall short of this happiness: for our Saviour hath said, _He that receiveth a prophet, in the name of a prophet, shall receive a prophet’s reward_. Now this shews us, that though all men have not the same part to act in the common salvation, yet none will be losers by that state they are in, if they be but true to the particular duties of it. If they do all the good they can in their _particular state_, they will be looked upon with such acceptance as the _poor widow_ that gave all that she had. IX. *Hence we may learn the greatness of their folly, who, neglecting the exact performance of such duties as fall within their power, are pleasing themselves with the great things they would do, were they but in another state. _Clemens_ has his head full of imaginary piety. He is often proposing to himself what he would do if he had a great estate. He would outdo all charitable men that are gone before him: he would retire from the world; he would have no equipage; he would allow himself only necessaries, that widows and orphans, the sick and distressed, might find relief out of his estate. He tells you, that all other ways of spending an estate is folly and madness. Now _Clemens_ has at present a moderate estate, which he spends upon himself, in the same vanities and indulgences as other people do. He might live upon one third of his fortune, and make the rest the support of the poor; but he does nothing of all this that is in his power, but pleases himself with what he would do if his power was greater. Come to thy senses, _Clemens_; do not talk what thou wouldest do, if thou wast an _angel_, but consider what thou canst do, as thou art a _man_. Make the best use of thy _present state_; do now as thou thinkest thou wouldest do with a great estate; be _sparing_, _deny_ thyself, abstain from all vanities, that the poor may be better maintained, and then thou art as charitable as thou canst be in any estate. Remember the poor _widow’s mite_.